An example controller for a power converter includes an input voltage sensor, a current sensor, an oscillator, a timing and multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator. The input voltage sensor receives an input signal representative of an input voltage and the current sensor senses a current in a power switch. The oscillator generates a signal having a switching frequency and the timing and multiplier circuit adjusts the switching frequency of the signal to be proportional to a value that is the input voltage multiplied by a time it takes the current in the power switch to change between two current values. The drive signal generator drives the power switch into the on state for an on time period and an off state for an off time period in response to the current in the power switch and in response to the signal having the switching frequency.
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1. A controller for a power converter, comprising: an input voltage sensor to be coupled to receive an input signal representative of an input voltage of the power converter; a current sensor to be coupled to sense a current in a power switch; an oscillator coupled to generate a signal having a switching frequency; a timing and multiplier circuit coupled to the oscillator to adjust the switching frequency of the signal to be proportional to a value that is the input voltage multiplied by a time it takes the current in the power switch to change between two current values when then the power switch is in an on state; and a drive signal generator to be coupled to drive the power switch into the on state for an on time period and an off state for an off time period in response to the current in the power switch and in response to the signal having the switching frequency.
A controller regulates the power output of a power converter. It uses an input voltage sensor to monitor the power converter's input voltage and a current sensor to measure the current flowing through a power switch. An oscillator generates a signal that determines the switching frequency. A timing and multiplier circuit adjusts this switching frequency; the adjustment is proportional to the input voltage multiplied by the amount of time it takes the current in the power switch to change between two current values when the power switch is on. Finally, a drive signal generator controls the power switch, turning it on and off based on the current flowing through it and the adjusted switching frequency.
2. The controller of claim 1 , wherein one of the two current values is substantially zero.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, has one of the two current values set to approximately zero. This means the timing and multiplier circuit calculates frequency adjustments based on the time it takes the current to rise from zero to a certain level, using this information to precisely control the power switch and regulate the power converter's output.
3. The controller of claim 1 , wherein one of the two current values is a protective current limit value.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, has one of the two current values set to a protective current limit. This limit acts as a safety threshold. The timing and multiplier circuit calculates frequency adjustments based on the time it takes the current to reach this limit, allowing the controller to prevent overcurrent conditions and protect the power switch and other components in the power converter.
4. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the input signal is a voltage signal.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, uses a voltage signal to represent the power converter's input voltage. The input voltage sensor detects the voltage level and provides this signal to the timing and multiplier circuit, which then uses it to adjust the switching frequency and control the power switch.
5. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the input signal is a current signal.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, uses a current signal to represent the power converter's input voltage. The input voltage sensor detects the input voltage but outputs the result as a current. This current signal is then used by the timing and multiplier circuit to adjust the switching frequency and control the power switch.
6. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the switching frequency of the oscillator is responsive to changes in an inductance of an energy transfer element of the power converter.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, dynamically adjusts the oscillator's switching frequency based on the inductance of an energy transfer element (e.g., an inductor or transformer) within the power converter. If the inductance changes, the oscillator frequency is modified accordingly, allowing the controller to maintain optimal performance even with variations in the power converter's components.
7. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the timing and multiplier circuit is adapted to generate a oscillator voltage that is responsive to the value that is the input signal multiplied by the time it takes the current in the power switch to change between two current values when then the power switch is in the on state, and wherein the oscillator is coupled to receive the oscillator voltage and adjust the switching frequency in response thereto.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, contains a timing and multiplier circuit generates a voltage based on the input voltage multiplied by the time it takes the current in the power switch to change between two current values when the power switch is on. This voltage controls the oscillator. The oscillator then adjusts its switching frequency based on this voltage, allowing for fine-tuned control of the power switch and regulation of the power converter's output.
8. The controller of claim 7 , wherein the oscillator includes a capacitor that is charged and discharged between two voltages responsive to the oscillator voltage to generate the signal having the switching frequency.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, uses an oscillator that contains a capacitor. This capacitor charges and discharges between two voltage levels. The charging and discharging are controlled by a voltage signal generated by the timing/multiplier circuit, which depends on input voltage and current change time. The rate of charging and discharging, which is responsive to changes in the calculated voltage, determines the switching frequency of the oscillator's signal, thereby controlling the power switch.
9. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the timing and multiplier circuit includes a capacitor that is charged with a charge current for the time that it takes the current in the power switch to change between the two current values, wherein the charge current is representative of the input voltage.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, contains a timing and multiplier circuit uses a capacitor. This capacitor is charged by a charge current that flows for the duration of time that the current in the power switch takes to change between two current values. The charge current is proportional to the input voltage, meaning that variations in input voltage directly affect the charging rate of the capacitor, allowing the circuit to dynamically adjust the switching frequency.
10. The controller of claim 1 , wherein the current sensor generates a gate signal representative of the time it takes the current in the power switch to change between two current values when then the power switch is in the on state, wherein the input voltage sensor generates a charge current representative of the input voltage, and wherein the timing and multiplier circuit adjusts the switching frequency of the signal in response to the gate signal and in response to the charge current.
The power converter controller described previously, which regulates power output using input voltage and current sensors, an oscillator, a timing/multiplier circuit, and a drive signal generator, relies on the current sensor generating a "gate signal." This signal represents the amount of time it takes the current in the power switch to change between two current values. The input voltage sensor generates a charge current that is proportional to the input voltage. The timing and multiplier circuit then adjusts the switching frequency based on both the duration of the gate signal and the magnitude of the charge current, providing precise control over the power switch.
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September 16, 2011
August 6, 2013
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